Qantas is back at MCY, and MEL-OOL runs

[chooms]

Qantas today announced the return of the Flying Kangaroo between the Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) and Sydney* as well as the launch of services between Melbourne and the Gold Coast* to give customers more premium travel options.


Qantas Domestic chief executive officer Andrew David said the network changes were part of the Qantas Group’s twice yearly schedule update.


“These new services help us meet the growing demand for premium leisure services between Sydney and Maroochydore and Melbourne and the Gold Coast,” Mr David said.


“We will introduce a new daily Boeing 737 service between Melbourne and the Gold Coast starting on 25 October.


“We’ll also start six services per week between Sydney and Maroochydore from 21 December with flying that will cater for leisure travellers over the summer holiday period, before a new schedule with more business-friendly times begins in February.


“The QantasLink flights between Sydney and Maroochydore will be operated by a two class Boeing 717, which offers Q-Streaming inflight entertainment in every seat via a passenger’s personal electronic device and complimentary iPads for all passengers.”

SMARTER FLYING SEES QANTAS BACK TO SUNSHINE COAST - Qantas News Room

 

[kevrosmith]

It also says an additional SYD-OOL service from Feb next year, and more Hobart flights.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Interesting news. With only one daily mel ool I hope fare rules still allow via Sydney for the same price as now.

 

[amaroo]

Simply Awesome!!!!!!!

Qantas to fly Sunshine Coast to Sydney six mornings a week | Sunshine Coast Daily

 

[snabbu]

Great news!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Fantastic News!
This route will sure be a success no doubt as OOL has been increasing in popularity for sometime for MEL based leisure travellers.

 

[drron]

So if I still work in Tassie next year I can fly QF all the way-unless as the hospital did this time and said I had to fly into Burnie.

 

[BD1959]

“We will introduce a new daily Boeing 737 service between Melbourne and the Gold Coast starting on 25 October."

Hurrah!!

Regards,

BD

 

[samh004]

It also says an additional SYD-OOL service from Feb next year, and more Hobart flights.

I'm interested in this additional service to SYD that I can't find specifics about... here's hoping it's an earlier morning flight to give commuters a better option for meetings, coupled with pushing the other flights back mean you can leave SYD later too...

 

[anat0l]

Interesting how QF are managing to find the aircraft to service these new routes, even at lower than "usual" frequencies. Good effort, though.

The MEL/OOL timings won't allow a full day of work for a commuter living in either city. The timings seem to be "biased" towards MEL commuters going to OOL, rather than the other way around.

With MEL/OOL coming online and soon another SYD/OOL, I wonder if the OOL QP and Gate 4 will be getting rather busy...

 

[Rugby]

Happy Days! Now for a QF lounge at MCY

 

[Aussie_flyer]

With a 640am departure ex mcy its not going to cater for leisure travelers from Sydney. Aircraft leaves Sydney in evenings and overnights at mcy. Good schedule for those doing Sydney daytrips ex mcy.

 

[cmon0005]

Very happy to hear that we finally have a direct flight again MEL-OOL

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Very happy to hear that we finally have a direct flight again MEL-OOL

Yeah its great. Ive checked and there are still valid fares via Sydney too which is good.

 

[Meggsy]

Small steps for OOL-MEL but not at all helpful for business travellers. Good news all the same and hopefully it continues to grow

 

[OATEK]

Having QF back on the Maroochydore run is certainly good news for those of us who do not relish JQ.

 

[anat0l]

Yeah its great. Ive checked and there are still valid fares via Sydney too which is good.

Better set a countdown timer on that.

Well, to be honest, maybe not so dramatic, because it is only one flight a day.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Better set a countdown timer on that.

Well, to be honest, maybe not so dramatic, because it is only one flight a day.

The direct fare is slightly cheaper but yes once 2 to 3 a day is opened up i would expect direct fares only to be offered as VA do

 

[docjames]

Interesting how QF are managing to find the aircraft to service these new routes, even at lower than "usual" frequencies. Good effort, though.

I have read elsewhere (can't find link currently) that from Feb '16 they are leasing two more 717s (not sure where/who from) and that WA (and Qld/Mackay ) mining FIFO slowdown has reduced requirements so have freed up airframes for these routes.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I have read elsewhere (can't find link currently) that from Feb '16 they are leasing two more 717s (not sure where/who from) and that WA (and Qld/Mackay ) mining FIFO slowdown has reduced requirements so have freed up airframes for these routes.

All that info is in the press release issued by Qantas and linked in the OP.

The new 35 min turnaround on some 737 flights also improving fleet efficiency.

The additional syd-ool frequency is a B717... rather silly timing of 40 mins between an existing flight though. So you have a flight at 1105 then another at 1145!